All Articles - Institute of Modern Russia

Symbols and Sentences

Details: Opinions

Symbols and Sentences

Details: 28 January 2015; Alexander Podrabinek

On March 11, 2014, three activists, Oleg Savvin, Mikhail Feldman, and Dmitry Fonarev, hoisted a German flag at Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) building in the city of Kaliningrad. Now, each of them is facing a seven-year sentence for their symbolic protest against Russian aggression in Ukraine. According to writer Alexander Podrabinek, the current Russian leadership seems poised to resuscitate Soviet-style methods of political repressions.

Who Was Offended by Leviathan?

Details: Opinions

Who Was Offended by Leviathan?

Details: 23 January 2015; Olga Melnikova

The latest Oscar-nominated drama from Andrey Zvyagintsev, Leviathan has provoked heated discussion in Russia. Critics quickly labeled the movie as Russophobic, politically biased, and antireligious. According to Olga Melnikova, despite its ambiguities, Leviathan accurately reflects many realities of modern Russia.

The Country Where Terrorism Won

Details: Opinions

The Country Where Terrorism Won

Details: 21 January 2015; Olga Melnikova

The murder of journalists for the French satirical weekly magazine Charlie Hebdo provoked an extraordinary response in Russia. However, paradoxical as it may sound, many residents of this country, which has suffered severely from terrorism over the past 15 years, are willing to justify the actions of extremists today. Olga Melnikova analyzes the public debate.

A Return to Feudal Law?

Details: Law

A Return to Feudal Law?

Details: 16 January 2015; Ekaterina Mishina

This December, 14 Chechen police officers died during a counterterrorist operation in Grozny. Chechen president Ramzan Kadyrov’s subsequent threat of retaliation against not only the terrorists but also their relatives sparked a massive public outcry. IMR legal expert Ekaterina Mishina analyzes the issue from a legal perspective.

The Time Is Out of Joint

Details: World

The Time Is Out of Joint

Details: 15 January 2015; Olga Melnikova

The year 2014 proved to be a dramatic one for Russian-Ukrainian relations. In a short timespan, the two neighboring countries virtually ceased to understand one another. Olga Melnikova reflects on the events of the past year and their ramifications for both countries.

New Year, New Sentence

Details: Politics

New Year, New Sentence

Details: 09 January 2015; Tatiana Stanovaya

On December 30, a Russian court sentenced Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and his younger brother Oleg to three and a half years in prison on charges related to the Yves Rocher case. Alexei Navalny received a suspended sentence, while Oleg Navalny will serve the full prison time. Political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya reviews the case and its possible consequences.

The Price of Freedom

Details: Opinions

The Price of Freedom

Details: 07 January 2015; Alexander Podrabinek

Over the past year, the Russian government has significantly increased its pressure on the country’s media. With ever-increasing frequency, the Federal Supervision Agency for Information Technologies and Communications (Roskomnadzor) has issued warnings to independent media outlets, which, in turn, obediently comply with the unlawful orders of Russia’s censorship body. According to writer Alexander Podrabinek, most Russian journalists simply don’t value free speech enough to defend it.

The Kremlin Shifts Tactics in Ukraine

Details: World

The Kremlin Shifts Tactics in Ukraine

Details: 06 January 2015; Donald N. Jensen

Over the past three months, the Kremlin has appeared to shift its strategy from further military advances to negotiations. The reasons for this maneuvering, though, have not affected the Kremlin’s approach to the crisis, which remains situational and opportunistic.

Mikhail Khodorkovsky: “You, Not Putin, Are the Source of Power”

Details: News

Mikhail Khodorkovsky: “You, Not Putin, Are the Source of Power”

Details: 05 January 2015

On December 20, 2013, Mikhail Khodorkovsky was released after 10 years in jail. In the months that followed, Russia annexed Crimea, invaded Ukraine, passed a series of restrictive legislation, imposed a ban on the importation of foreign food, went through a currency crisis, and entered economic recession. On the anniversary of his release, Khodorkovsky made the following statement to the Russian public.

Russia Is Paying Off Putin’s Debts

Details: Opinions

Russia Is Paying Off Putin’s Debts

Details: 31 December 2014; Alexander Podrabinek

In mid-December, the currency crisis in Russia resulted in the ruble’s landslide tumble. According to writer Alexander Podrabinek, Russia’s brewing economic crisis will not change the policy orientation of the Kremlin, which can only look for enemies and designate scapegoats, instead of solving real problems.

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